AMSI to Hold Two Day Forum on How  to Secure the Future for Maths and Stats. (February 1, 2012)

Five years after the forum An investment In Australia's future: why the mathematical sciences matter discussed the findings of the Australian Academy of Science's National Strategic Review of Mathematical Science Research in Australia the Australian Mathematical Sciences Institute will hold on the 7-8 of February at the Australian National University's University House:

The forum is being held to "provide an opportunity to endorse a coherent action plan to ensure the supply of graduates in the mathematical sciences and quantitative disciplines".

It is still possible to register for the forum up until 12pm, Friday February 3, 2012.

The principal speaker is to be Professor Celia Hoyles, former mathematics advisor to the British Government. She will discuss the initiatives employed in the UK that have improved standards, reversed teacher shortages and increased mathematics enrolments.

Other speakers listed include:

• Ian Chubb (Chief Scientist)

• Chris Evans (Minister for Tertiary Education, Skills, Science and Research)

• Chris Pyne (Shadow Minister for Education, Apprenticeships and Training)

• Sophie Mirabella (Shadow Minister for Innovation, Industry and Science)

• Doug Hilton (Director, WEHI)

• Steve Davies (General Manager, Statistics, APRA)

• Ron Sandland (AMSI)

• Attila Brungs (Australian Technology Network)

• Mike Manton (Academy of Technological Sciences and Engineering)

• Rob Vertessy (Acting Director, Bureau of Meteorology)

• Glenn Wightwick (Chief Technologist, IBM Australia)

• Paul Van Bergen (Partner, R&D Incentives, KPMG)

• Louise Ryan (Chief, CSIRO Mathematics, Informatics and Statistics)

• Len Sciacca (Chief Operating Officer, DSTO)

• Kim Beswick (AAMT)

Geoff Prince, Director of the AMSI says: "We are bringing to this forum a range of solutions to the maths and stats skills shortage, and I believe that there is now a widespread willingness for action," while Ron Sandland, former Deputy Chief Executive of CSIRO and current Chair of the AMSI Board notes that "This is not simply about educating the next generation of elite mathematicians. It’s all about ensuring future generations can most effectively contribute to national productivity and wellbeing."

Of course one of the features of such conferences is that the policy makers (politicians) who attend rush in to speak not to listen, and having spoken head off to attend to the important matters scheduled in their diaries. But perhaps a staffer will stick around for a while and brief him or her sometime later.

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The 2011 Nobel Physics Laureate, Brian Schmidt will be guest speaker at the forum dinner on February 8 who is on record saying: "One key thing I'm trying to promote post-Nobel prize is primary and secondary education."

And to that end he will donate $100,000 of the $360,000 share of the prize money to the Australian Academy of Sciences to continue the Primary Connections program.

"Primary Connections has had very good penetration across the country -- 55 per cent of all primary schools have used it in one way or another -- and it is one of the most effective tools I have seen to help in teaching science to this age group.

"If you improve education for kids in primary school you get 50 years of benefit, but it doesn't accrue for another 10 or 12 years." And added: "I'm in it for the long haul. I have 21 years until I turn 65, but I want us to focus on the basics: if you do the basics well, everyone's a winner."